While currently in confinement at the Philippine National Police (PNP)General Hospital, Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran issued this statement inresponse to news of Presidential Proclamation 1017's lifting earlier thismorning:

Beltran also called for his "immediate release and the nullification orwithdrawal of the recent rebellion charges against known opponents of Mrs.Arroyo".

"These charges against me and the five other party list representatives arespurious and baseless, meant to suppress the broad movement for GMA'souster. These rebellion charges are the fruits of the poisonous tree whichis PP 1017, it must be expunged and all those arrested or threatened witharrest must be immediately freed," he said.

"Mrs. Arroyo and her cohorts especially Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, PNPChief Arturo Lomibao , Mike Defensor and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye mustall be held responsible and accountable for the havoc and damages wrought byPP 1017. The Filipino people have all the more reason to seek the ouster ofGMA and the setting up of a transition council for real national unity,socio-economic relief, and good governance," Beltran said.

Shortly before his confinement at the Philippine National Police (PNP)General Hospital yesterday at 12:15 PM, Rep. Crispin Beltran expressed hiscondemnation of the Presidential Proclamation 1017 issued by Mrs. GloriaMacapagal-Arroyo.

*"PP-1017 is currently the DESTABILIZER "par excellence" with brutalefficiency. The hungry and angry must kill this animal of gluttony andtyranny. The imposition must be swept away by the democratic human tsunamiinto the dustbin of history. I am committed to partake in this rare lexiconfor rational freedom and democracy!"*

*Release for illegal detention is best way to stabilize Beltran's health*

As of this morning, Rep. Beltran's medical condition has slowly stabilized,with a blood pressure of 140/80 as of 10 AM.

So far, laboratory tests on Beltran (ECG, urine and stool tests) haveyielded normal results. Beltran is also taking continuous maintenancemedicine for hypertension every eight hours, says Olive Lalusis, Beltran'sdaughter who is currently monitoring his condition.

"He is getting better. But release from illegal and inhumane detention, andthe dropping of these false charges, is still the best way to stabilize ourfather's health," Lalusis said.

Meanwhile, Atty. Amylyn Sato of the Public Interest Law Center (PILC), whichrepresents Cong. Beltran, said that Criminal Case No. 132943 (Inciting toSedition) field against Beltran on February 27 has been already raffled offto the Branch 43 Metropolitan Trial Court in Quezon City. No warrant ofarrest has been issued as of press time. Beltran's charge of rebellion wasraffled to the Regional Trial Court of Makati Bracnh 137 of Makati.

Sato said that the PILC is currently eyeing possible legal measures againstthe said charges. ###*